Tag: CherryVelvetPlus

All in One Place

Are your girlfriends the exact same size as you? Maybe you and your girlfriend range from small to plus sizes? Whether you’re shopping for an event or just taking in some retail therapy together, it’s always great to have a trusted friend along for the journey. Who better to rely on than our besties when choosing a special outfit. Let’s face it, no one knows you better or sees your best qualities like your true pal.

Anyone who has tried to have this experience when shopping for two very different sized people will know the frustration. It often leads to running all over town to try to find one store for regular sizes and another store for plus sizes. It usually finds you shopping online on very different websites too. You may find that the regular size shops offer lots and lots of choices in a variety of fabrics and colours. You may have also found that the plus-sized buddy has much, much less to choose from. This can only cause irritation and somebody is going to be sad.

Cherry Velvet carries sizes S to 3X (and some XS and 4X too)! Actually, our most popular sizes are Large and up. We invited our friends Foxy and Lexi to come in for a photo shoot and do a little shopping. We wanted to show you how someone who wears a size Small and someone who wears a size 2X can look equally fabulous in the same dress. What a concept!!

Of course, we are always here to offer our online customer the best experience possible as well. We encourage you to call or email with any questions you may have and we will always do our best to find you the right styles and the best fit for you!

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Let’s talk about the difference between size and fit.

All of us have a unique shape, size and fit. We’re all different and that’s a good thing. Understandably we would all love to be able to see clothing we’re interested in on a body exactly like ours, whether it’s a smaller size or a plus size. Wouldn’t that make things so easy?? Take a look at the women around you right now. Every single one of them is a different size, shape, height and proportion. It’s impossible to show every body type without creating an entire encyclopedia of women’s bodies and show how a garment fits on every single one. One of our goals for this year is to show more sizes and bodies so that it’ll be easier for you to assess your perfect fit.

Show yourself some LOVE!

Society needs no help when it comes to damaging women’s self esteem regarding body image. But there’s a lot you can do to change this! Meet that woman in the mirror with a smile. Tell her she looks adorable, cute, sexy, and amazing! At the end of the day when it’s just you and the mirror, a choice is made about the words used to describe ourselves, to ourselves. Cut yourself some slack and give some words of encouragement and love to that amazing person looking back at you. It’s time to think about your clothing size like you think about your shoe size. It’s just a number that corresponds to the length of your feet. Why not?

Live it now!

When you put on your clothes and they fit right, you know it. It’s not just about having it go over your body or being able to do up a zipper or a button. Armholes that don’t gap and the way a garment flows over your body is key. It’s that dress or skirt that hits that magic spot on you and makes your legs look amazing. When your clothes fit properly you look and feel like you can take on the world. It’s not about waiting until you’re the size you want to be it’s about looking and feeling your best Right Now!

Give yourself that gift!

XOX Cherry Velvet

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Last week we shared a blog post about our friend, fat activist, writer, media maven and Fatshion Icon Cynara Geissler. We couldn’t fit all the photos and fabulous quotes into one little blog post so without further Adieu, we bring you Part Deux!

Anyone who knows Cynara knows that she has a very distinctive and committed style. She joyfully wears bright colours and amazing accessories to brighten up her outfits and anyone who she encounters throughout her day. Like a ray of fun, fashion sunshine! She is also brilliant and well spoken, natch.

Let’s get right to it, shall we?

Marie – Double Feature

Cynara is all ready for her movie date! She has paired our adorable Marie Double Feature Dress with her own red belt, red hair bow, and red and white classic canvas running shoes. This look is super cute but also comfortable and practical for rushing to get to the theatre in time to watch all those previews. Or a post-movie stroll with her sweetheart!

Olivia – Harvest Bloom

Cynara is wearing that same sweet red belt with our Olivia – Harvest Bloom Dress and here she has added red Mary Jane flats and a kelly green cardigan to pull it all together. Her own brooch and our Cherry Earrings complete this classic look.

Veronica – Blue Raspberry

This vision of turquoise and red is one of our favourite looks Cynara has put together. Veronica Dress – Blue Raspberry is fab on its own but with the contrasting red accessories, it pops with joy! A Cinnamon Hearts Vintage Chiffon Crinoline for fabulous floof is just so perfect for this dress. Here we see Cynara’s own red hair bow, and neck baubles but possibly the best things ever are her lace-up Pom Pom flats! Amazing!!

We hope that you have enjoyed this two-part blog all about Cynara Geissler as much as we have. We always look forward to seeing what Cynara is wearing, almost as much as we love to hear what she has to say!

XOX Cherry Velvet

Cynara is Director of Marketing and Publicity at Arsenal Pulp Press. Her critical writing on fat acceptance, fatshion, feminism, and media has found shelter in various print magazines and around the internet including fatshionista.com, Geez Magazine, and Shameless Magazine. Her poetry and fiction have appeared in Milo, Event, subTerrain, and Juice. Follow her on Instagram @cynaragee

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Cynara Geissler is a woman who wears many hats (and cute cardigans, adorable shoes and vintage brooches). We discovered Cynara on an Instagram post where she was wearing one of our Cherry Velvet dresses with the hashtag fatshion. Her body positive style blows us away. After hearing her speak at the “Embrace The Body You Have” event we knew Cynara had a message that we wholeheartedly agree with and want to share with you.

“Fat acceptance–also known as size acceptance, body positivity, weight neutrality and not-waxing-rhapsodic-about-dieting–is a social and corporeal justice principle, founded on the revolutionary idea that it is not productive to spend every waking moment of every day actively hating your body”~Cynara Geissler

Cynara doesn’t just talk and write about fatshion and fat politics, she lives it every day. Every outfit she puts together is washed in colour, whimsy and joy. When Cynara enters the room you just want to know more about her. We thought we would feature Cynara in some of her favourite Cherry Velvet dresses and let her accessorize to her hearts content. This is the result. Enjoy!

Chrissy Dress – Chrysanthemum

Norma Dress – Lunar Cats

High level of accessorizing achieved here with the Norma Dress – Lunar Cats! Cynara has added her own cute cardigan and black patent leather belt. She has added our adorable little Carla Cat stud earrings by Erstwilder and Catastrophic Fright brooch also by Erstwilder. Head to toe this outfit is a winner. This purrfect look is pulled together by her cat ear headband and kitty cat shoes. Meow!

We will leave you with one more quote from Cynara. The more you get to know Cynara the more you realize that her being an extremely articulate person encompasses not only the things she says but the way she dresses and the way she greets the world. Be inspired!

“When you open up to the possibility that you can live your life right now instead of waiting for an arbitrary number on the scale, or on the tag in your dress, it blows your world apart.” ~Cynara Geissler

Stay tuned for part #2 next week.

XOX Cherry Velvet

Cynara is Director of Marketing and Publicity at Arsenal Pulp Press. Her critical writing on fat acceptance, fatshion, feminism, and media has found shelter in various print magazines and around the internet including fatshionista.com, Geez Magazine, and Shameless Magazine. Her poetry and fiction have appeared in Milo, Event, subTerrain, and Juice. Follow her on Instagram @cynaragee

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We must, we must, we must ad”dress” your bust!

An appropriate and well-fitting bra is really important for building the “foundation” of your shape under a dress. Make sure your bra straps are adjusted so that your bust is supported correctly (you know how the straps can stretch out!). When you put on one of our dresses, your bust should sit above the waistband. This will make the dresses look and fit better and should eliminate your breasts being cut in half by the waistband. Yes ladies, lean forward, adjust your breasts up and over the band and then complete the pulling up of the zipper. Much like when you put on a bra.

“When you go dress shopping please wear a great fitting bra! A sports bra or no bra just doesn’t cut it to get the best fit”

Under Where?

What you wear on the lower half of your body is totally your preference. Our Cherry Velvet dresses have extra room across the tummy to give you enough room that it’s not necessary to wear anything special on the bottom. It’s totally up to you! We are a big fan of being able to look great AND breathe!

Online shopping

All our bra fitting tips are just as important for when you’re measuring yourself to find your best dress fit online as well. Put on a well-fitting bra before you take your measurements to find your size. We made a short video with some easy to follow instructions to help you take simple and accurate measurements. Check it out!

Once you have your measurements you can check out our comprehensive Sizing Chart to find your size. Or you can call or email with your measurements and we will always be happy to help you find your best fit.

When you wear your Cherry Velvet Dress…

Please make sure you’ve chosen a bra that fits well with good support. We know you want to look your best and feel totally gorgeous when you’re wearing one of our beautiful dresses.

XOX Cherry Velvet

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The Holidays are almost upon us. Are you ready to stuff?… a Christmas stocking that is? Here are our best suggestions for stocking swag to make their face light up on Christmas morning. There’s not a lump of coal in sight!

Roll The Dice!

We don’t want you to gamble on her present this year but we can’t help but recommend these adorable Pair-o-Dice necklace and earring sets. They’re handmade in Canada and a steal at just $36 for the set. You can choose between red, green or white dice. The odds are in your favour that they’re going to adore this! We especially love this necklace with our Norma Dress in Parlour Ink print

Erstwilder Brooches

Our hottest selling item at the moment are these cute & quirky brooches from Australia called Erstwilder. Inspired by all things vintage, rockabilly, pinup, retro and art-deco, they’re a gift choice suitable for any fashionista on your gift list. They come boxed with a special story about the treasure inside that’s the perfect end at their Christmas stocking toe.

Cherry Baby!

‘Juicy’ Cherry sets are the perfect gift for any retro Diva. Sets include a necklace, bracelet, and earrings in your choice of Black glass (Cherry Cola) or White Pearl (Cherry Icing). The cherry theme goes with so many of our dresses Like Vanessa, Hard Candy and Marie, Double Feature.

Cherry Velvet Gift Card

Cherry Velvet Gift cards come in denominations from $10 to $200 so you can customize the amount you want to give. You can’t go wrong here! You can’t mess up the size, colour or pattern by leaving all the choices up to them. All you have to do is sit back and enjoy the accolades. Now you can handle that, can’t you?

Of course, if you need any help at all with gift suggestions or sizing….the elves at Cherry Velvet HQ are happy to help. Please feel free to contact us by e-mail @ cherryvelvetplus@gmail.com and we’ll get back to you ASAP!

XOX Cherry Velvet

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We had so much fun putting outfits together with our retro dresses, we did it again! This time we wanted to show you classic vintage styling plus a few more alternative looks. Barb, our Client Relations Specialist, was the model; great job, Barb! That’s what style is all about, taking an outfit and really injecting your own personality into it.

We choose an Olivia Dress in Harvest Bloom; so appropriate to the season. It was such a beautiful autumn day, we went to a park in full fall foliage called Momiji Gardens. Why stay indoors when you can work outside?

Every day is a Retro day!

Barb loves to wear boots and tights with her dresses. How about these amazing vintage plaid Doc Marten Boots?! Take chances—plaids and florals can look amazing together. Erstwilder Red Poodle Brooch, Lands End Cardigan

Rockabilly Retro

Maybe you’re the lead singer of a band (like Barb) or going to a funky event like a burlesque show… What to wear? Layering a corset over your dress is a great way to add alternate style to your dress. Barb’s wearing her own hat, shrug and boots with a Lace Embrace Corset and a Vintage Chiffon Crinoline in Black Licorice.

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Finding different ways to wear the same dress is not only a great way to add your own signature style to your outfits, it’s smart too. Our designer Diane, dug into her closet and put together these 5 ways to wear one Cherry Velvet dress with a classic scoop neck Olivia frock and her own accessories.

Along the Promenade

Sometimes simple is best. A sun hat and comfortable shoes for strolling is always the way to go. The Olivia dress looks great with a longer necklace, like this vintage jet (black glass) find. “Vintage” Fluevogs, Coach Bag.

To the Office

Pretty much every Cherry Velvet dress can be worn to work in the Fall with the addition of a cardi, tights and boots or flats. Add a little personality too, like this vintage style brooch (under the hair). Lands End Cardigan, Fluevog boots, Diane Kennedy Rejuvenate Leggings.

Brunch with the ladies

It’s easy to put something over your dress, like a shrug or a cardi. But don’t forget you can also wear something under your dress like a blouse, long sleeve top or t-shirt. Experiment to see which works with your dress. For this look, Diane chose a slightly less full Lace chiffon crinoline. Coach Bag, Fluevog “Purity” Boots.

Gallery Opening

Sometimes you just don’t want to blend in with the crowd. Nothing sets the mood for a funky outfit like a hat; this one Diane brought back from a trip to England a few years ago. Here’s a fun little trick Diane uses: collect a bunch of your lower skirt including the crinoline underneath and pin it up. You can use a regular safety pin (like she did here), but a bigger kilt pin or a broach works also. Fluevog “Exene” flats, Heidi Daus Necklace, Vintage Chiffon Crinoline in Spearmint.

Hopefully, this post will make you look at your own Cherry Velvet dress in a new way. Hunt up some cool vintage accessories, polish up your favourite boots and get ready for fall!

XOX Cherry Velvet

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Cherry velvet dresses are super easy to care for. With minimal fuss, our high-quality cotton dresses will last you for years. They don’t shrink or fade and are so timeless they can be worn over and over. You don’t need to save them for a special occasion!

To give you the official low down on care, here are the steps:

Care of Cotton Dresses

Yep, that’s it. It’s worth spending a few minutes on #3. Taking the time to smooth out the wrinkles after hanging it up will go a long way toward being iron free! Smooth the collar, put your hands in the pockets, run your hand along the hem until it’s hanging straight.

If you’re going somewhere special or your dress has come fresh out of the box, go ahead and iron it with steam on a cotton setting.

Hanging around

When it’s time to hang up your dress for another night, be sure to give it a little room in your closet so it can hang freely. That way when you are ready to put it on again it will be crease free and ready to go when you are!

Wear your dress!

It’s very important to take your dress out and wear it whenever possible. You’ll want to accessorize in a way that’s appropriate to the destination although not having a destination in mind is perfectly alright. You may illicit wistful stares and long lingering looks when wearing your dress. This is quite normal. You may also be approached by other women demanding to know where you found your dress. Just send them our way and we will look after the rest. Don’t forget to smile and say “Thanks!”.

There are so many creative ways to wear your dress and that’s the subject of an upcoming blog: 5 Ways to Wear your Cherry Velvet Dress

Stay tuned!

XOX Cherry Velvet

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An essential part of finishing off any Cherry Velvet dress surely must be a pretty necklace (and shoes of course) Does your jewelry have to be fancy? No, it does not! But gosh, we do love to accessorise, don’t we? There’s no easier way to ramp up your modern vintage look than with a few classic beads. The right vintage bauble can take you from demure to glam just like that.

While I was on a trip to Wales last year I discovered several antique shops. One that sold trinkets like compacts from the 50’s, Crocodile handbags, and perfume atomisers. Looking around, I said to a fellow, “Where is the jewelry?” And he said, “Why Miss, there’s a whole other store that’s full of jewelry!!”

Giddy with anticipation, I headed straight over. I was not disappointed! An entire jewelry store full of beautiful vintage pieces was on sale for 50% off. Crikey!! These are a few of the necklaces that came home with me, all for a song. (You bet I was singing and dancing that night at the pub!)

Treasures found!

My favourite find? This beautiful Aurora Borealis clear cut glass beauty with three graduated tiers and a beautiful jeweled clasp. My other great find was what the proprietor called Night and Day glass. It’s black but the liberal Aurora Borealis finish on it sparkles with purples, magenta, turquoise, and chartreuse.

This past weekend I was at an antique show in Tsawwassen and hit the vintage jewelry jackpot, again. This time I scored a double string of candy pink graduated pearls from the fifties and two crystal necklaces, bracelet and earrings sets, one red and one ultramarine blue.

The quality of my finds are amazing but one problem stands out with buying vintage jewelry and that’s the fit. Just like most true vintage dresses are tiny, so is the jewelry. Many of these finds will need to be restrung to fit my neck. While it’s a shame to undo the original handiwork, how wonderful to have pieces I’ll truly enjoy wearing. Earrings too, if you can find them. They all have those nasty, pinching clips.

Perhaps you’re not an antique shopper or maybe you can’t be bothered with restringing necklaces. Whatever the case (may be), I urge you to have a look at our growing selection of modern vintage pieces handmade with love and built especially to fit ALL SIZE necks here.